Who's creepier than serial killers? People obsessed with serial killers, that's who. But at least the guys in Chicago death-metal trio Macabre—at 25 years and counting, possibly the longest-running metal band in the world never to have a lineup change—do their research, and they do far more than I could stand to. Their annual Holidays of Horror concerts also provide a valuable public service during the Official Merriest Time of the Year, allowing people who've been surrounded by Christmas music, relatives, children, and cheer to safely vent their perfectly justifiable aggression. For the first time in eight years, Macabre have recorded new material: the 15-minute EP Human Monsters (Obscene Productions), released this summer, contains three brutal new songs and a cover of Venom's "Countess Bathory" that's well-suited to the season . . . assuming that's not Santa in your chimney. It's a teaser for the full-length Grim Scary Tales, due early next year. Reign Inferno, Bones, and Kastasyde open. —Monica Kendrick